St. Michael’s marked the opening of our 173rd academic year with our traditional Michaelmas festivities to celebrate the college’s patron saint. Faculty and staff from St. Michael’s and the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies (PIMS) joined an academic procession into the 12:10 Mass at St. Basil’s Church.

In his homily, Father Morgan Rice, CSB, pastor at St. Basil’s, encouraged members of the community to embody the spirit of the archangel St. Michael and accompany each other, guiding and inspiring one another on their academic journeys.

In his welcoming remarks, St. Michael’s President David Sylvester called St. Basil’s the “spiritual heart and soul of campus” making it a fitting setting to officially begin the academic year.

The celebrations continued on Elmsley Place where President Sylvester and St. Michael’s College Student Union (SMCSU) VP of Spiritual Life Ernesto Perez Viyella ceremoniously cut the Michaelmas cake with a sword.

The Michaelmas celebrations took advantage of the beautiful fall weather as attendees were treated to a BBQ lunch and a frozen treat.

Games in the quad and a balloon artist added to the fun.

The festivities also included a presentation of the newest inductees to St. Michael’s legacy wall, Prof. Mark McGowan and alumna St. Evanne Hunter, IBVM. Their portraits and citations will be added to the Legacy Wall, located in Brennan Hall, where their achievements will inspire students to explore beyond their limits.

Please join us in celebrating our patron saint, St. Michael the Archangel, on September 29, the Feast of Michael and All Angels, or Michaelmas. This year, the celebrations are a joint effort among the President’s Office, the Office of Campus Ministry and St. Michael’s College Student Union.

“I look forward to celebrating Michaelmas with the St. Mike’s community as we honour our patron saint as well as our common values of leadership, justice, inclusivity, and care of others and our common home,” says Interim Director of Mission and Ministry Fr. John Meehan, SJ.